Wenger not afraid to splash the cash

Arsene Wenger insists he is not afraid to spend big money in the transfer window if he feels a player is worth it.

The Frenchman's policy in recent seasons has been to bring in promising youngsters and mould them into better players.

In the process he has unearthed a number of gems, but critics have argued he should move for more established professionals this summer after another season without silverware.

Francis Jeffers and Jose Antonio Reyes both failed to live up to hefty price tags but Wenger maintains that has not put him off spending large amounts.

The Gunners boss has also dismissed suggestions that he would be "scared" of bringing in a superstar like Ronaldinho.

He told the club's official website: "Scared of what? I would not be scared. We couldn't afford him now so we have to forget it.

"But the money (we have paid out) is not comparable to what other teams have spent on players. For example with Reyes we got a big part back and for Jeffers a little part back. If we have the money and I am convinced it is worth it, we will do it."